Matthew 5:21-26
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
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– Jesus shattered the view of the self-righteous, the Pharisees and others who knew they had not committed murder. Sin begins in the heart. Our heart is filthy and we are worthy of hell. Proof that if left to ourselves, we’ll continue to fail apart from Christ.
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The Heart Reflects Our Attitude vv.21-22
The Heart Reflects Our Attitude vv.21-22
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23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
– The sacrifices and offerings were intended by the Jews to restore a right relationship with God. Reconciliation must precede worship. See, they put little to no emphasis on sins that could not be seen, but Christ is saying that anger and hatred are every bit as sinful as murder and adultery. That’s the beauty of the cross; it reconciles us with God and with mankind. I used to like that Christianity was all about rules, but now I know that it’s about a loving relationship that thrust me into right relationship with man.
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
– The sacrifices and offerings were intended by the Jews to restore a right relationship with God. Reconciliation must precede worship. See, they put little to no emphasis on sins that could not be seen, but Christ is saying that anger and hatred are every bit as sinful as murder and adultery. That’s the beauty of the cross; it reconciles us with God and with mankind. I used to like that Christianity was all about rules, but now I know that it’s about a loving relationship that thrust me into right relationship with man.
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– 1 John 4:20 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
– 1 John 4:20 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
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– John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
– John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
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The Heart Reveals Our Adoration vv.23-24
The Heart Reveals Our Adoration vv.23-24
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25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
– When we come to grips with how sinful and filthy we are before a Holy and almighty God, we must repent and turn to Him. This will reconcile us with Him and cause a ripple effect of reconciliation among mankind.
25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
– When we come to grips with how sinful and filthy we are before a Holy and almighty God, we must repent and turn to Him. This will reconcile us with Him and cause a ripple effect of reconciliation among mankind.
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The Heart Requires Action vv.25-26
The Heart Requires Action vv.25-26
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Action toward Mankind– Matthew 18:15-20 ““If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Action toward Mankind– Matthew 18:15-20 ““If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
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The Action of love toward your enemies– Matthew 5:43-48
The Action of love toward your enemies– Matthew 5:43-48
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Action toward God– Acts 3:19-20 “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,”
Action toward God– Acts 3:19-20 “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,”